We were very lucky last week because we had some snow in Budapest. As usually, it did not last for long, but it was a great day, Budapest is so beautiful covered in snow. Book a tour with me in January or February and hope for a nice snowy day!
You might have noticed already how much I’m fascinated by the Art Nouveau movement of the late 19th and early 20th century. I love the design, the colours, the shapes and the fantastic symbolism, the stories the buildings and objects tell us. We were fortunate enough to discover this beautiful little gem of Art Nouveau in the 6th district of Budapest with my travellers who were looking for their family roots in Budapest earlier this year.
The house is from 1904, designed by the Hungarian architect genius Albert Kálmán Kőrössy for the Sonnenberg family. Like many other buildings from the same period of time this building was also in a very bad shape by the end of the 20th century. Some of the residents decided to restore it to its original beauty, and they have been doing an amazing job. It is a very long and expensive process, some of the stained glass windows were already restored, and they are just exquisite. I cannot wait to see the rest of the project.
Join me for an Art Nouveau walk to find out more about this super exciting time period and the symbolism of Hungarian Art Nouveau. Also, you’ll find more details about the Sonnenberg house and the restoration process here.
We stumble upon these little brass plaques in the pavement of the streets of Budapest, we see most of them on the Jewish Quarter walking tour. These little plaques remember people who were killed in the Holocaust, placed in the pavement in front of the building they lived, their last address of choice.
I love the idea of never forgetting people. I love how discreet these little plaques are and how they make you think, the actual train of thoughts that can take you much further than intended. I also love that this is probably the largest ever Holocaust memorial, still, you only see little parts of it. The amazing project of Gunter Demnig began in 1996 and about 95,000 plaques have now been placed across Europe. Don’t forget to look “down” sometimes. I can promise you that once you notice a plaque, you’ll all of a sudden see them all. Here is a little gallery of the ones I’ve come across the last couple of days.
The reason why I love the Gödöllő and Hollókő tour is because it is a great opportunity to explore the magnificent Hungarian Baroque architecture, urban and rural, exquisite and ordinary. It is not just a travel back in time, it is also a great way to learn more about Hungarian culture and about the life of our predecessors, the lifestyle that defined our everyday life and culture today. In addition, you will have the chance to meet some very friendly local people who cherish the local traditions and try to keep them alive. I have more pictures for you of the Gödöllő palace and Hollókő.
The largest Catholic Church of Budapest, the magnificent Esztergom Basilica is included in my popular Danube Bend private tour. The renovation works started in 2018 and we can already see some amazing parts of the interior beautifully restored. I am fascinated by how spacious and monumental the interior has become, it definitely is worth a visit when you spend some time in Beautiful Budapest.
A little photo gallery from the thousands of photographs I’ve been taking while walking around my Beautiful Budapest. These are not the most famous attractions, but some hidden gems that you can discover when you book a tour with me. The reason why I’m sharing these with you is that I very much like the colours, the vibes, the ambience of these places. Feel free to contact me for more details!
Some pictures from last week for you to see the flooded Danube river in Beautiful Budapest.
Riding Budapest Eye, the ferris wheel located in the heart of the city centre is always a great experience, especially when the weather is nice and you have an amazing view from the birds’ eyes view 🙂
Belgrade church, a very popular spot of our Danube Bend or Szentendre tours. This is a real hidden little gem surrounded by trees, the Serbian Orthodox Church of Szentendre. Unfortunately the church is only open for visitors on weekends, however, I highly recommend to see the interior to see the magnificent iconostasis.
A huge thank you to all of you who have shared reviews on Tripadvisor! I’m very proud and grateful. Also, don’t forget to write a short review if you haven’t done so yet :))
The ancient Roman Empire was the largest empire of the world, at its peak the greatest territorial extent of the empire was almost 2 million square miles with a population from 50 to 90 million people. From the 1st century Romans created settlements along the Danube river to protect the empire from the east. There were several settlements created in the actual territories of Hungary, some ruins can be seen in the Northern part of Buda even today.
You can visit the ruins of an amphitheatre or Aquincum, the centre of the settlement with the remains of the governor’s palace and many residential buildings.
Here are a few pictures I took visiting Szentendre with my travellers yesterday. The photographs don’t do any justice to the spectacular little village, but they give you an idea about what you can expect. Szentendre is only a 20-minute drive from Budapest, also, you can take a local train to get there. I’m offering multiple tours to visit the village, the full-day driving tour to the Danube Bend and the half-day Szentendre driving tour. Book now!
I was very lucky this Easter Monday because I could take my travellers to Hollókő, one of the cutest and most traditional Hungarian villages where people still cherish old traditions. Most of the village people are beautifully dressed up in locally designed costumes. There is music, great food and drinks, plenty of locally crafted products.
One can also participate in the festivities. The most cherished Hungarian Easter tradition is the “watering”, young men tossing buckets of cold water on girls, to keep them fresh all year long. In exchange they are given hand painted and decorated Easter eggs. Visiting tourists might also get wet if they don’t avoid young men carrying buckets of water :).
Hollókő is a very special village all year around, it was a very special treat to be there and celebrate Easter with locals. Book a tour with me, so that I can tell you more about the village and its traditions!
My travellers often ask me to recommend some great museums to visit during their stay in Budapest. I’ve put together a list of the museums that I like and that I think would be a great addition to your Budapest experience.
History lovers:
Hungarian National Museum – all about Hungarian history from the ancient times to nowadays. the most significant item on display is the coronation robe of the Hungarian kings from 1000. The interior of the museum is just magnificent.
Hospital in the Rock – a museum in the cave system of the Buda Castle District that served as an underground hospital during WW2. Amazing stories from the war and a very detailed presentation.
Budapest History Museum – dedicated to the history of the Buda Castle complex and Budapest. You can visit the old parts of the castle as well as the newly renovated royal halls.
Memento Park – although it’s located outside the city centre, it’s worth a visit. The cemetery of the old statues of the communist era puts on display Hungarian history in the second half of the 20th century.
Glass House – former Swiss consul Carl Lutz saved the life of thousands of Hungarian Jews during WW2. The museum is dedicated to his amazing work and to all people who found peace and safety in the Glass House of Budapest.
Art lovers
Fine Art Museum – hundreds of thousands of pieces from all the different periods of European fine arts. Plan to spend a couple of hours to see them all.
National Gallery – an amazing collection of Hungarian art form the Middle Ages to nowadays. The museum is located in the Royal Palace of Buda and offers magnificent views over the city.
Ludwig Museum – the contemporary art museum started from a private collection and is expanding dynamically year by year. You can admire art from the late sixties to present time.
Don’t forget that most of the Budapest museums are closed on Mondays, always check the opening hours before your visit! Feel free to get in touch with me for further details and more information.
Tucked away in the heart of the Jewish Quarter of Budapest, the recently renovated Rumbach Street Synagogue is one of the city’s most striking and meaningful landmarks. Together with the Dohány Street and Kazinczy Street synagogues, it forms the famous synagogue triangle — a unique concentration of Jewish heritage within just a few streets.
After decades of neglect, Rumbach has finally reclaimed its place as one of Budapest’s architectural and cultural treasures.
The synagogue was designed by the renowned Austrian architect Otto Wagner and built in the early 1870s. At the time, Wagner was already known for pushing architectural boundaries, and Rumbach is a perfect example of his bold vision.
The building follows the Moorish Revival style, instantly recognisable through its vibrant colours, geometric patterns, and richly decorated details. Inside, shades of red, blue, purple, and gold create an almost otherworldly atmosphere. The craftsmanship is extraordinary, and every corner invites you to stop and look closer.
One of the synagogue’s most distinctive features is its octagonal interior, with eight equal sides. This unusual design was inspired by the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, giving the space both architectural balance and symbolic depth.
Before the Second World War, Rumbach Street Synagogue served a smaller local Jewish community. Like so many Jewish institutions in Hungary, its story was tragically interrupted by the Holocaust. Most members of the congregation were murdered, and after the war the building lost its original function.
For decades, the synagogue stood abandoned and deteriorating — a silent witness to the destruction of a once-vibrant community. Its slow decay mirrored the painful absence left behind in the neighbourhood.
After many years of planning and careful restoration, Rumbach Street Synagogue finally reopened in 2021. The renovation respected the original design while giving the building a new role as a cultural and historical space.
Today, it is once again open to the public — not only as a synagogue, but also as a venue for exhibitions, concerts, and remembrance. Walking inside feels both uplifting and deeply moving: beauty and loss exist side by side here.
The synagogue can be visited, but it’s important to know that opening hours are very limited and irregular. Unlike larger attractions, Rumbach is not always open to visitors, and access often depends on events, services, or guided visits.
If you’re planning a trip to Budapest and would like to include Rumbach Street Synagogue in your itinerary, I strongly recommend contacting me in advance. I’m happy to check whether the synagogue will be open during your stay and advise on the best way to visit.
Rumbach Street Synagogue is an essential stop — or at least a key reference point — on my Jewish Quarter walk, where we explore not only the major synagogues but also the stories of everyday life, survival, and renewal in this historic neighbourhood.
Seeing Rumbach in context, surrounded by former Jewish homes, courtyards, and memorials, adds layers of meaning that go far beyond architecture alone.
If you’re interested in discovering the Jewish Quarter with a licensed private guide, at a relaxed pace and with personal stories woven into the walk, this tour might be a perfect fit for you.
Rumbach Street Synagogue is not just beautiful — it’s unforgettable. Its colours, its silence, and its history linger long after you leave. Whether you’re interested in architecture, Jewish heritage, or Budapest’s complex past, this is a place that truly deserves a spot on your list.
If you’d like help planning your visit or booking a Jewish Quarter walk, feel free to get in touch — I’ll be happy to help you make the most of your time in Budapest.
I would like to wish you all a very happy new year! These are my favourite pictures from 2022. I hope to meet you in Budapest in 2023!
The historic Chain Bridge has been under structural renovation for a year and a half. The bridge reopens later this week for public transportation and cabs. It will be fully reopened for pedestrian traffic in late summer 2023.
The oldest bridge of Budapest was opened in 1849 and has been the favourite bridge of locals and travellers ever since. The renovation was very much needed and was completed in a relatively short period of time, however, every day when we cannot cross the river on the Chain Bridge is considered a sad day. We’ve been missing you Chain Bridge and can’t wait to see you again very soon!
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia, it’s a 2-2,5 hours drive from Budapest. It’s one of the four capitals along the Danube river. A charming town with Bratislava castle from the Middle Ages and the Baroque style city centre with colourful buildings, cobblestoned streets, little cafés, art galleries and great atmosphere.
I’d highly recommend a tour when you are in Vienna or Budapest, you won’t be disappointed. These are the pictures from our last tour, we were lucky with beautiful weather and clear blue skies.
The Orthodox synagogue in Kazinczy street was bulit in Art Nouveau architecture in the early 1900’s. The Art Nouveau characteristics are truly magnificent: the rose window on top of the facade, the various building materials including raw brick and colourful stone pieces, the floral ornaments, the stained-glass windows. The building is a masterpiece of the architects, Sándor and Béla Löffler.
The synagogue was badly damaged during WW2 and the building was restored after the war. It’s part of a complex where there are apartments, two kosher restaurants, a little design shop, a kosher grocery store and offices of the Orthodox community. The visit of the synagogue can be included in the Budapest Jewish district tour.
I would like to share with you this little video I took last weekend when we visited the Gödöllő Palace. This beautiful Baroque palace from the 18th century is included in my Gödöllő and Hollókő tour and the visit is always a special experience. I very much love being lost in the past, in history, it’s a real time travel and history comes to life.
